Overview

• The top-level wildfire risk warnings will remain in effect until the weekend, with almost half of mainland Portugal projected to be on maximum alert by mid-July.
• The very high-risk districts include Bragança, Guarda, Viseu and Castelo Branco, popular destinations that now face strict bans on fires, barbecues and certain machinery.
• Tourists have been urged to heed UK Foreign Office advice that warns of unpredictable wildfires, mandatory evacuations and possible road closures.
• More than 3,000 fire incidents have scorched upwards of 8,000 hectares so far this year despite the absence of any singular large-scale blaze.
• Portugal’s health authorities recorded 284 heatwave-related deaths after the mainland hit a record 46.6 °C in late June.